1. 1. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the active sourdough discard, warm water, olive oil, and granulated sugar until well combined. The mixture should look slightly milky and uniform.

2. 2. Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, instant yeast, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing with a wooden spoon or spatula until a shaggy dough forms.

3. 3. Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 5-7 minutes until the dough is smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky. It should spring back slowly when gently poked. If it’s too sticky, add a tiny bit more flour, a teaspoon at a time.

4. 4. First Rise: Lightly grease the mixing bowl with a little olive oil. Place the dough back in the bowl, turning it once to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and let it rise in a warm place for 60-75 minutes, or until it has nearly doubled in size.

5. 5. Shape the Loaf: Gently punch down the risen dough to release the air. On a lightly floured surface, shape the dough into a rectangle roughly the length of your loaf pan. Roll it up tightly from one of the long sides, pinching the seam closed at the bottom. Tuck in the ends to create a neat loaf shape.

6. 6. Second Rise and Preheat Oven: Place the shaped dough into a lightly greased 9×5-inch loaf pan. Cover the pan loosely with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let it rise for another 15-20 minutes while you preheat your oven to 375 F (190 C).

7. 7. Bake the Loaf: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 200-210 F (93-99 C) when checked with an instant-read thermometer. For an extra golden crust, you can brush the top with melted butter or olive oil halfway through baking.

8. 8. Cool Completely: Once baked, remove the loaf from the oven and immediately turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. This prevents the bread from becoming gummy and allows the internal structure to set.